AMarkets suggests: Top Movies about finance and the stock markets PART 2

October 30, 2018

1. The ascent of money: A financial history of the world

Summary: “These 4 hours are worth spending” – a very popular comment to a series of YouTube videos from Niall Ferguson, a Harvard history professor and a journalist. First, he wrote a brilliant book exploring the evolution of money and then created a series of videos, where he acted as a guide through the world of finance.

Storyline: In a relaxed atmosphere, Ferguson explains where loans came from, how wars and revolutions affect financial relations, how the Rothschilds became the wealthiest and most powerful family, why human beings have a herding instinct when it comes to investment, and so much more. The gist that Ferguson wants to convey is easy – money rules the world. But to find out how exactly it happens, you need to watch it yourself.

2. Too big to fail (2011)

Summary: This movie will be enjoyable for those who want to know the reasons of the 2008 financial crisis in the United States and what actions the US ministers took to stabilize the situation, including the implementation of the well-known Paulson’s Plan.

Storyline: The film describes the events from May to October 2008 in chronological order. The plot focuses on the measures taken by US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who is trying to do everything he can to prevent the financial meltdown.

3. The Big Short (2015)

Summary: The movie tells us that going short can be very profitable, it’s also about dealing with your own conscience. “With humor blended with a touchy subject, this film educates the viewer in a funny way that proves to be cleaver and perfect. Moral of the story – don’t trust anyone with your money.”(from IMDb reviews)

Storyline: In 2005, eccentric financial genius and hedge fund manager Michael Burry discovers that the United States housing market is going to crash soon and uses at least a billion dollars of his investors’ money in credit-default swaps. Burrie’s clients are worried because the credit market seemed very stable. Wall Street notices this strange activity, and soon a few bankers realize that Burrie’s expectations are well-grounded. Turns out, you can earn a fortune by selling short.

4. The Wizard of Lies (2017)

Summary: One of the greatest and talented actors of all time Robert De Niro plays a notorious fraudster, Bernard Madoff who was sentenced to 150 years in prison. A prestige production, also starring Michelle Pfeiffer with her impeccable acting, is based on a heartbreaking true story of a man who couldn’t handle the success of his own business.

Storyline: The Wizard of Lies reveals a true story Bernard Madoff, who founded his hedge-fund on Wall Street in the early 1960s. Over time, his company turned into one of the largest investment funds. Madoff has a reputation of a successful and influential financier, broker, financial consultant and generous philanthropist until in 2008 it turns out that over the past decade he had been running the largest Ponzi scheme in the history.

5. Becoming Warren Buffet (2017)

Summary: Everyone knows about Warren Buffett. This world’s richest man is respected all over the world. Only crypto-enthusiasts dislike him. All because he has repeatedly criticized Bitcoin. How could they handle these attacks? Buffet is an old-school investor, he recognizes only traditional financial markets, but it didn’t stop him from making a lot of money, but on the contrary, only contributed to the increase of his capital.

Storyline: A documentary about 88-year old Warren Buffett, a legendary investor, who topped the list of the world’s wealthiest people many times. An ordinary boy from Nebraska became one of the most respected men in the world and build a multinational conglomerate of companies, but preserved his humble lifestyle. He still lives in a house, that he built fifty years ago and goes to work, grabbing a hamburger on the way. Buffet explains his success by his obsession with numbers, that he learned to master back in his childhood.

6. Trading Places (1983)

Summary: This movie has a very life-affirming slogan – “They are not just getting rich – they are getting even”.The plot is based on an extreme statement that even a street hustler can manage a large company. This hilarious comedy starring brilliant Eddie Murphy in the role of a tramp makes us reconsider many things in life.

Storyline: The life of a respectable businessman Louis Winthorpe III, the manager of the richest company on Wall Street, changes unexpectedly after his bosses, the Duke brothers, make an unusual wager. One of the brothers is convinced that anyone could manage a company, even the most notorious and uneducated rogue. Betting a “whole” dollar, the brothers find a street hustler Billy Ray Valentine and make his a boss at their company instead of Winthorpe.

7. Rogue Trader (1999)

Summary: A fascinating insight into another world – a world of money, banking and pressure. The movie reveals how a single man can bring down an almost legendary bank with such ease. A dynamic central performance from Evan McGregor who plays the role of a bank clerk Nick Leeson keeps you watching. The movie makes you empathize with the predicament of this ordinary intelligent man.

Storyline: Based on a true story, the movie about an ambitious bank clerk Nick Leeson, whose financial fraud led to the collapse of one of the world’s largest banks. A young specialist Nick Leeson was sent to work at the Singapore branch of a large British bank Barings. He was responsible for trading on the stock exchange and asset accounting at the office. However, everything isn’t as it appears — through the error account, Nick is hiding huge losses as he gambles away Baring’s money, having no supervision from London, which eventually leads to the bankruptcy of the bank.

8. Money monster (2016)

Summary: This Jodie Foster-directed movie keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats. With George Clooney and Julia Roberts on screen, the film is highly entertaining. You can actually feel the despair of one of the main characters all along…

Storyline: Lee Gates is a bombastic TV personality whose popular financial network show has made him the money wiz of Wall Street. One of the viewers of Gates’ show goes bankrupt having taken his financial advice and takes Gates hostage live on air. The ratings of the TV show go up, while its viewers are held in suspense wondering how much human life costs.

9. The pursuit of happiness (2006)

Summary: Probably the most heart-wrenching, poignant drama from our list. The movie sends an uplifting “go for your dreams” message: “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves they wanna tell you that you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period.” – that’s what the main character Chris Gardner is doing taking an unpaid 6 months internship. The situation seems critical, especially because Chris has a little son that he needs to take care of.

Storyline: Chris Gardner is a single father. Raising a five-year-old son, the man tries his best to make his child happy. Working as a salesman and struggling to make ends meet, Gardner finds himself and his son in the street evicted from their apartment. Chris refuses to give up and signs up for an internship at a brokerage company, hoping to get a position. But on one condition – he won’t be getting any money for six months…

We hope that you find our movie list useful. We are always happy to share our views and materials with our partners. The first part of the movie list is available here.

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